The Swiss Armed Forces

If you refer to the Swiss Armed Forces, you primarily think of soldiers of all ranks who serve in a variety of functions and units of the armed forces.

However, the armed forces are based on the Defence sector. It is part of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and constitutes the planning, leading and administrating backbone of the Swiss Armed Forces.

Thanks to their professional administration, the armed forces can help to prevent war and thus contribute to peace in our country; they support the civilian authorities in warding off severe inner security threats and in mastering exceptional situations; and finally, the Defence sector coordinates Swiss international security policy cooperation for the armed forces.

As administrative unit, the Defence sector also safeguards the information technology of the DDPS and is responsible for integral security within the department.

The Chief of the Armed Forces and the individual administrative units of the armed forces present themselves in this column.